Senator Elaine Gannon’s Capitol Report for April 20, 2023

Getting Down to the Mark-Up

May 5 is the deadline for the Legislature to have a balanced operating budget for FY ’24 on the governor’s desk. The Senate rearranged its regular floor schedule this week to accommodate extra time for members of the Senate Appropriations Committee to “mark-up” the House’s version of budget. During this arduous process, the committee goes through each line item of every state department’s budget, and the chair decides to select the governor’s, House’s or Senate’s agreed to totals. If there are discrepancies between the recommendations, a conference committee consisting of representatives from both parties and chambers will hash out the differences. You can find more details on the appropriations bills here.

The Senate is also getting down to the final weeks of committee hearings and floor debates. I’m pleased to report the House has advanced my bill to extend MO HealthNet coverage to postpartum women from its Legislative Oversight Committee. This priority legislation may now be brought up for debate on the floor in the House. I’m also pleased to report I amended language onto Senate Bill 180 which mirrors my proposal to add 911 telecommunicators to the definition of first responders. I’m optimistic both of these measures will reach the governor’s desk before adjournment.

On April 17, I was honored to present another piece of my legislation to members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senate Bill 432 establishes the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act and would protect Missourians who are exercising their first amendment rights from meritless, punitive lawsuits. Strategic lawsuits against public participation, known as SLAPP, aim to censor and punish speakers with costly litigation. Even if a speaker fights the suit and wins, they are still penalized with paying court costs and other fees, which does little to reduce the incentive to file SLAPPs. Missouri has an anti-SLAPP law in place, but SB 432 would strengthen its efficacy in three ways: expand the scope of speech covered by the law, create a clear right to an interlocutory appeal for an anti-SLAPP motion and require the plaintiff to show up front that there’s a valid, winnable case. Several advocacy organizations testified in support of this anti-SLAPP legislation.

Youth Enrichment

Maybe it’s all the years I spent teaching, but I still marvel and feel enriched by our passionate young people and their determination to make a difference. Thanks for visiting me at the State Capitol this week.

On April 18, I had the honor of introducing Sophie Senkel, a talented soccer player and the top student of her junior class at St. Pius X School who job shadowed me for the day. I wish her well as she pursues her dream of becoming an attorney.

Sophia Senkel job shadows Sen. Gannon.

On April 19, I had a small reunion with some former students at De Soto High School and welcomed the Leadership Academy from Jefferson College and Mineral Area College.

Senator Gannon welcomes her community’s Leadership Academy.

Senator Gannon reminisces with former students Brenna Young, Ellen Miller, Emily West and Kristen Sides.